Texas Cybersecurity Grants for Defense Contractors

Published April 7, 2026 | ← Back to State Grants

Texas defense contractors and small businesses have multiple pathways to strengthen their cybersecurity posture through grants, state programs, and federal resources. With the CMMC Phase 2 deadline approaching in November 2026, now is the time to understand what support is available and how to access it.

Texas Defense Infrastructure and Cybersecurity Landscape

Texas hosts one of the largest concentrations of defense infrastructure in the United States, creating substantial contracting opportunities for businesses that can meet CMMC compliance requirements. The state serves critical roles in border security, Air Force operations, and Navy logistics.

• Fort Hood (Killeen): III Corps headquarters, largest active duty armored division in the US Army. Generates contracts in vehicle maintenance, logistics, communications, and cybersecurity support.
• Joint Base San Antonio (Lackland AFB): Air Force Center of Excellence for training, medical, and cyber operations. Major contracting in IT services, personnel support, and facilities management.
• Naval Station Corpus Christi: Primary Navy training base for surface warfare and naval aviation. Contracts in maritime maintenance, logistics, and specialized manufacturing.
• Red River Army Depot (Texarkana): DoD heavy equipment rebuild and modernization center. Contracts with Texas manufacturers for components, electronics, and specialized parts.

Texas MEP Center: TMAC

TMAC (Texas Manufacturing Assistance Center) serves as Texas Manufacturing Extension Partnership center, providing cybersecurity and compliance assistance to manufacturers across the state.

• Website: tmac.org
• Cybersecurity Consulting: TMAC connects manufacturers with certified assessors and remediation support.
• Federal Contracting Navigation: TMAC helps small businesses with SAM.gov registration, capability statements, and proposal development.
• Regional Offices: TMAC maintains offices throughout Texas to provide localized support to manufacturers in every region.

Federal Coordination: DoD Border Operations and CISA Region 6

Texas defense contractors benefit from proximity to DoD border operations and federal cybersecurity coordination through CISA Region 6.

• CISA Region 6: CISA's Houston office provides cybersecurity advisories, vulnerability assessments, and incident response planning for eligible Texas organizations.
• FEMA Region 6: Coordinates emergency management and cybersecurity resilience programs for Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas, Oklahoma, and New Mexico.
• DoD Border Operations: Texas National Guard and active duty units conduct border security operations that generate contracting opportunities in logistics, surveillance, and communications.

CMMC Compliance: What Texas Defense Contractors Need to Know

The Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) program requires defense contractors to meet specific cybersecurity standards before winning contracts that involve Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI).

• NIST SP 800-171: The foundation of CMMC Level 2. Covers 110 security controls across 14 domains including Access Control, Audit and Accountability, Risk Assessment, and Incident Response.
• Gap Assessment: A professional gap assessment identifies exactly which controls your organization does not yet meet and creates a roadmap to compliance. This is the critical first step before remediation.
• CGA Grant: The CGA CMMC Gap Assessment Grant provides a $5,000 in-kind professional assessment at no cost to eligible contractors. Apply now.

CGA National CMMC Gap Assessment Grant

Cyber Grants Alliance (CGA) is offering 100 in-kind grants valued at $5,000 each to help defense contractors and manufacturers complete a professional CMMC gap assessment. This is not a loan and does not need to be repaid.

• What You Get: A professional gap assessment against all 110 NIST SP 800-171 controls, conducted by certified CMMC assessors. You receive a written report and remediation roadmap.
• What It Costs: Nothing. The $5,000 assessment is provided at no cost through the CGA grant program, sponsored by CMMC Ready Now.
• How to Apply: Complete the online application. Grants are awarded on a rolling basis until all 100 are distributed.

How to Get Started

Taking the first step toward CMMC compliance starts with understanding where your organization stands.

• Step 1: Complete the CGA Grant Application at cybergrantsalliance.org/cmmc-gap-assessment-grant. Applications take under 10 minutes.
• Step 2: If approved, you will be matched with a certified assessor who will conduct your gap assessment within 2 to 4 weeks.
• Step 3: Review your assessment report and begin remediation planning. CGA and CMMC Ready Now can connect you with implementation support if needed.
• Additional State Resources: Visit /state-grants for a comprehensive overview of grant programs available in Texas and across the nation.

This post is for informational purposes only. Cyber Grants Alliance is a nonprofit providing grant access. CMMC Ready Now provides in-kind grants and professional assessment services.